bound 1 of 5

noun (1)

Definition of boundnext
1
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go the language in the novel really is beyond the bounds of decency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in confines
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something colored outside the bounds of the drawing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bound

2 of 5

noun (2)

as in leap
an act of leaping into the air the kangaroo took one giant bound and was gone

Synonyms & Similar Words

bound

3 of 5

verb (1)

1
as in to define
to mark the limits of the country is bounded by water on two sides

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to border
to serve as a border for being bounded on all sides by the Alps has helped Switzerland maintain its neutrality

Synonyms & Similar Words

bound

4 of 5

verb (2)

1
as in to hop
to move with a light springing step the child giggled and bounded off to play with her friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to leap
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air a rabbit bounded down the garden path

Synonyms & Similar Words

bound

5 of 5

adjective

ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce bound (audio)
as in determined
fully committed to achieving a goal I am bound and determined to write a novel before I turn 30

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bound
Noun
Penn Station falls within the bounds of his district in New York City. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Pharmacists are rushing to manage prescriptions within the bounds of what a patient’s insurance and condition will allow. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 24 July 2026
Verb
The pilot started in a smaller downtown area the following year before it was expanded it earlier this year to span an area bounded by Irving Park Road to the north, 26th Street to the south and Ashland Avenue to the west. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026 Down 2-0 entering the ninth inning against the New York Mets, the Red Sox bounded back to tie the score and win 3-2 in extra innings, their impressive midseason run stretching their current win streak to nine games to close out the first half. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 13 July 2026
Adjective
The bound paper booklets in which students hand-write their responses to test questions have surged in popularity during the AI explosion. — Jamil Zaki, CNBC, 12 May 2026 The Dodgers’ split-squad group that journeyed the 14 miles from Glendale (and ultimately lost to Texas, 7-6) was largely a skeleton crew of Triple-A bound prospects and wannabes. — Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bound
  1. limit
  2. edge
  3. leap
  4. define
  5. border
  6. hop
  7. jump
  8. determined
Noun
  • The dramatic encounter saw both superstars push each other to their limits, culminating in a sense of finality for their long-standing rivalry.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Name your limit, protect your energy, and leave room for real desire.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of limit
Noun
  • The frontier of what needs a human recedes every quarter, and the companies that know exactly where the line sits have a real edge.
    — Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • On the fourth pitch of the at-bat, Yamamoto turned to his splitter for the first time, barely clipping the inside edge of the strike zone.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Behind them are a group of redshirt freshmen hoping to make a leap.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • In Baltimore, the Ravens hope their investment in Trey Hendrickson helps their defense take a leap forward.
    — Mike Jones, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of leap
Verb
  • Unlike ancient Roman baths that relied on standing pools, Ottoman hammam architecture is defined by fresh, continuous flowing water across heated stone slabs (göbek taşı).
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • This season, though, will be defined by the head coach’s offseason evaluation of, well, himself.
    — Sam McDowell July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of define
Verb
  • On the road leading to the Moroccan town of Fnideq, which borders Ceuta, many migrants were seen walking toward the fence, some barefoot, apparently hoping to try their luck.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • But in Russian regions bordering Ukraine, which started to face Kyiv’s retaliatory strikes earlier than the rest of the country, support for the war is even higher.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
Definition of border
Verb
  • If your Mediterranean travel dreams mean hopping between postcard-perfect ports aboard a private yacht—without sacrificing luxury hotel comforts—Emerald Sakara just may be your answer.
    — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Besides one stunt where Newton’s character had to hop off a 35-foot cliff into a shallow pool of water, all the actors were game to do their own stunts — safely, of course.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 July 2026
Definition of hop
Verb
  • That jumps from his previous $45 million average and pushes him to the top of the quarterback market.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • The company reported record US production and said worldwide production jumped 20% year-over-year.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of jump
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, the Philippines keeps showing the world how a determined state can fight and win on the legal battlefield.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Having spent decades watching powerful men evade justice, Nora is doubly determined to bring this one down, and regards Catherine’s vigilantism as an obstacle to a larger victory.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Definition of determined

Browse Nearby Words

bouncy
bound
boundaries
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bound. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on bound

Nglish: Translation of bound for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All